Electrical regulator



Aug. 28, 1923. 1,466,258

A. A. TIRRILL ELECTRICAL REGULATOR Filed Dec. 20, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet l FII3.1.

34 ,4 15 lie -a7 68 E WITNESSES INVENTOR Aug. 28, 1923. 1,466,258

A. A. TIRRILL ELECTRICAL REGULATOR Filed Dec. 20, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheefl2 FIG.Z.,

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INVENTOR WITNESSES A. A. TIRRILL ELECTRICAL REGULATOR Aug. 28, 1923. 1,466,258

Filed Dec. 20, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheer, 5

FIEiJEl- A. A. TIRRILL ELECTRICAL REGULATOR Filed Dec. 20, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG.4.

INVENTOR Patented Aug. 28, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALLEN A. TIBBILL, OI i PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRICAL REGULATOR.

Application filed December 20, 1918. Serial No. 267,647.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALLEN A. TIRRILL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsbur h, in the county of Allegheny and State 0% Pennsylvania, have made a new and useful Invention in Electrical Regulators, of which ,the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrical regulators and has as an object to increase the working range of the relays of voltage regulators of the kind in which the regulator is effected by adjustment of the field excitation of a dynamo electric machine.

The increasing tendency of building alternating current generators for poorer inherent regulation constantly calls for broader range in exciter voltage and consegiliently broader range in voltage regulators. any alternating current generators are now built that require, under operating conditions, an exciter voltage range from 45 to 140.

If great pains are taken in the design of a the relays to obtain high saturation of the iron, heavy leakage by expanded core heads, etc., relays can be made to work satisfactorily over an exciter voltage range of from 1 to 2 or from 70 to 140 volts on a 125 volt exciter, this, however, is about the practical limit of range, With this invention relays can be made to work over a very broad range of exciter voltage. A range of 4 to 1 or more would be perfectly practical or for example 35 to 150 volts on 125 volt exciter and for the purpose of illustratingthe applicability of this invention in the drawings accompany ing and forming a part of this application I have diagrammatically illustrated a number of modifications of the same in connection with regulators such as those disclosed in Letters Patent Nos. 1,147,574 and 1,147 576.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system of distribution utilizing a regulator such as shown in the latter of said patents and illustrates a form of this invention for increasing the range of operation of the regulator relays.

I Figure 2 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of a system of distribution similar to that shown in Fig. 1 embodying a modified nection with which the other suitable source.

form of this invention, in which a finer ad- JllStll'lGIlt and greater range of relay opera tion is obtainable than with the form shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic viewof a system of distribution in which a still further modification of my invention s shown and in this view my invention for increasing the relay range is shown in connection with the system of distribution and included regulator of the form of said patents.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a system of distribution similar to that shown in Fig. 3 although slightly modified.

Form of Figure 1.

A system such as shown in Fig. 1 in conresent invention may be conveniently emp oyed comprises a mam generator having an armature 5 connected to-a suitable distributing circuit 6- 78 and a field magnet winding 9supplied with current from an exciter 10. The exciter is provided with a field magnet winding 11 preferably shunt excited, though it may be supplied with current from any In series with the said field magnet winding is a resistor 12 adapted to be shunted by means of cooperating stationary and movable contact "terminals 13 and 14 of a relay 15 constituting a art of the regulator.

he regulator further comprises a main control magnet 16 the core of which is attracted upward, The' core stem 17 is connected to a floating lever 18 which is pivotally carried by a bell crank lever 19 pivoted at 20. The upper arm of the bell crank lever my means of a rod 21' and spring 22 is connected to the core 23 of a. vibrating magnet 24. A counter weight 25 is used to assist the pull of the main control magnet and to bring the lever and core to a balanced osition at the normal voltage to be reguated. y

The vibrating magnet 24 also has its core attracted upward. These two magnets 16 and 24 are energized from the distributing circuit 67-8 through the transformer 26 y and actuate the movable main contact 27 into and out of engagement with the fixed contact 28. The movements of the cores of magnets 16 and 24 are retarded by means of dash pots 29 and 30. Suitable external resistors 31 and 32 are connected inseries with transformer 26 and a portion of resistor 31 is adapted to be shunted by ineans of cooperating stationary and movable contact terminals 33 and 34 of a relay 35.' The relays 15 and are provided with parallel connected actuating windings 37 and 38, respectively, receiving energy from the exciter or other suitable source and their circuits are governed by main contact terminals 27 and 28. I

The closure of main contacts 27 and 28 causes all the relay contacts thus far described to close. ibrating relay 38 is connected so that the closure of its contacts shunts a portion of resistance 31 in series with the vibrating magnet 24 thus increasing its pull and opening the main contacts 27 and 28. The opening of the main contacts opens all relay contacts and inserts the whole of resistor 31 in the vibrating magnet circuit, weakening the pull and closing the main contacts again.

The arrangement so far described is substantially the same as disclosed in Patent No. 1.147.546 and my invention for increasing the excit/er voltage range of the relays and thus detern'iine the range of operation of said regulator, consists oi an electromagnet 39 having an arn'iature 40 pivoted at 41. The pull of the magnet is opposed by a spring 42 and the armature carries a contact 43 which engages a resiliently mounted fixed contact 44. Contacts 43 and 44 are in shunt to a resistor 45. Illectroresporrsive device 39 is energized from the excitor and a resistor 46 is arranged in series with the relay.

Relays 37 and 38 are energized from the exciter and have fixed external resistors or other impedance devices 45 and 47 in series with the same, and electro-magnet- 39 being also across the erciter armature is subjected to the same variations of excitor voltage. Spring 42 may be adjusted so that contacts 43 and 44 will open or close at about volts on the exciter so that said contacts (43 and 44) are closed shunting resistor 45 and giving relays 37 and 38 proper current or power for satisfactory operation below 70 volts and to 35 (assuming the use of 125 volt exciter). At about 70 volts the pull of magnet 39 overcomes the tension of spring 42 and opens contacts 43 and 44 putting resistor 45 in circuit with relays 37 and 38 giving them proper current or power to operate from 70 to 150 volts, thus the resistors 45 and 47 in series with relays 37 and 38. are practically divided into two steps of 1 to 2 ratios giving a ratio of practically 4m 1 to the initial exciter voltage.

It will be seen from this that my invention in this form. (Fig. 1) increases the range of operation of the relays of the regulator disclosed in Patent No. 1,147,576.

Form of Figure 52.

In Fig. 2 I have shown an exciter 50 with its mains 51 and 52 and the main contacts 53 and 54 of a regulator which may be the same regulator as shown in Fig. 1 incorporated in the same system. Relays 55 and 56 correspond to relays 37 and 38 of Fig. l and resistors 57 are 57 correspond to resistors 45 and 47 and are arranged in series with the relays.

An electromagnet 58 ot' the solenoid type is arranged across the exciter armature and is subjected to the same variations of voltage as relays and 56. Core 59 of the solenoid is attracted into coil 58 when the same is energized and for convenienw I have shown an external resistor 60 in series with the magnet. In order to assist the pull of the magnet which moves the core upward and for the purposes of fine adjustment a spring 61 is used. Core 59 is provided with a stem 62 which has an aligning guide 63. Stem 62 engages a flexible spring 64 which has a fixed support 65, and, at its free end carries a contact 66 arranged to engage a contact 67 mounted on the free end of a flexible spring 68 having afixed support 69. Coirtact 67 in turn is arranged to engage a contact 70 and this in turn is arranged to engage a contact 71. Contacts 70 and 71 are carried on flexible springs 72 and 73, respectively, and these springs have fixed supports 74 and 7 5, respectively.

These contacts 66, 67, 70 and 71 are ar ranged to shunt more or less of resistor 57 as shown. The arrangement is such that when magnet 58 is not energized contacts 66, 67 70 and 71 will be closed due to the weight of core 59 thus shunting resistor 57 entirely. As the exciter voltage increases contacts 7t) and 71 will open at some predetermined value of exciter voltage and will throw in a portion of resistor 57 and this will be repeated at other predetermined exciter voltage values until all of resistor 57 is in circuit.

This arrangement will give a still broader range and a. finer adjustment than the arrangement of Fig. 1 and in some cases may be desirable.

Form of Figure 3.

In Fig. 3 in which my invention is incorporated into a system including a regulator as shown in the form of said patent, a plurality of alternating current generators have their arlnatures 81 and 82, respectively, connected to main buss bars or conductors and 91 of two exciters. The exciters are provided with field windings 92 and 93 having resistors 96 and 97, respectively, in'series therewith, the terminals and suitable intermediate points being connected to the contact members of a plurality of relays 98, 99, 100,

124, 125 and 126. The said relays are adapted to be simultaneously actuatedand to that end are provided with actuating windings 101 receiving current from the exciter buss bars 88 and 89 and the circuits of which are controlled by the stationary and movable contact members 102 and 103 ot a master relay 104. Master relay 104 is provided with an actuating winding 105 receiving current from the exciter bu$ bars 88 and 89 and is controlled by cooperating contact members 106 and 107, the latter of which is stationary but resiliently mounted.

Contact member 106 is carried by a lever 108 which carries a magnetizable core 109 at one end and an adjustable counter weight 110 at its other end. The movements of the lever are retarded by means of a dash pot 111. The magnetizable core 109 is actuated by a surrounding solenoid 112 upon which a voltage is impressed proportional to that of distributing circuit 838485; a transformer 113 being preferably interposed between the solenoid and said circuit. Inasmuch as the degree of energization of the coil 112 is dependent upon the voltage of the distributing circuit 83-84-85, the position of the contact member'106 with respect to member 107 or rather the distance between the members will vary in accordance with variations in said voltage.

Lever 108 is pivotally supported from the lower end of the substantially vertical arm of a bell crank lever 114 whichcarries, near the free end of its horizontal arm, a magnetizable core 115 and at the free end of its horizontal arm an adjustable counter weight 116. The movements of lever 114 are retarded by means of a dash pot 117. Lever 114 is actuated by a solenoid 118 which surrounds the magnetizable core 115 and receives current preferably through transformer 113 from the distributing circuit 838485. The circuit of said solenoid is controlled by a relay 119 having a movable contact member 120 and an actuating core 121 adapted to be simultaneously energized with actuating windings 101.

In the operation of the regulator thus far described contact member 106 is vibrated into and out of engagement with member 107 by means of solenoid 118; the duration of the periods of engagement and disengagement of the said contact members being dependent upon the initial distance between them (it being understood that contact member 106 is adjustable) which is determined by the voltage of the circuit 83-84-85. When these contact members engage each other the -noid 118 which thereupon rotates lever 114 to effect separation of contact members 106 and 107. The engagement of contact members 102 and 103 establishes a circuit through the actuating coils 101 of relays 98, 99, 100, 124, 125 and 126, which thereupon short circuit sections of the resistors 96 and 97 in circuit with field magnet windings 92 and 93 of the exciters. The result of this is the strengthening of the fields of the exciters and a corresponding increase of the voltage of the exciter buss bars 88 and 89. This in'turn is followed by strengthening of the main generator fields and corresponding raising of the voltage of the distributing circuit 83-84-85 to compensate for the previous decrease of said voltage resulting from an increase of load.

The raising of the voltage of the distributing circuit causes a corresponding slight separation of contacts 106 and 107. Separation of said contacts and the energization of solenoid 118 interrupts the circuit windings 104 and 121 and permits disengagement of contact members of relays 105 and 119. The actuating coils101 thereupon become deenergized and resistors 96 and 97 are again included in the active circuits of the exciter field windings 92 and 93. The result of this is the diminution of the voltage of the exciter buss bars 88 and 89 and a corresponding diminution of the voltage of the distributing circuit 83-8485.

The regulator just described as embodied in this system of distribution, is adapted to manipulate large amounts of current and to have a large capacity. In connection with the regulator of this system I have incorporated my invention for broadening the relay range and while it is similar to the application of the invention to the distribution system shown in Fig. 1, two groups of relays are used instead of one. The master relay 104 is connected to the exciter buss 88 and 89 with resistors 122 and 123 in series therewith. This relay 104 operates the group of relays 98, 99, 100, 124. 125 and 126 and also relay 119. Relays 98, 99, 100. 124, 125 and 126 are also energized from the exciter buss and have external resistors 12? and 128. A relay having its actuating winding 129 energized from the exciter buss bars 88 and 89 is provided with a movable contact arm 130 carrying two contacts 131 and 132 insulated one from the other. These two contacts cooperate with fixed contacts 133 and 134 respectively. Contacts 131 and 133 operate to shunt resistor 127 of the group of relays while contacts 132 and 134 operate to shunt resistor 122 of; the master relay 104.

While it is preferable to carry both contacts .131 and 132 on the same armature the same result can be accomplished by two relays as shown at 135 and 136 of Figure 4.

I have shown all relays alike and while in general this is desirable it is not essential. For the purpose of convenience I have shown simple series wound relays but I do not wish to be limited to such, as shunted type relays or differentially wound relays may be used. The arrangement shown in Figure 2 including flexibly mounted contacts'GG, (57, t0 and 71 may be applied .to the regulator of Fig. 3 if desired, but it this is done it will be necessary to use two sets of contacts (36, 67, '70 and 71 insulated from each other, or two magnets 58 with. the contacts 66, 67, and 71 arranged as shown in Fig. 2 for accommodating the shunting of the two blocks of resistance 122 and 127 of Fig.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described particularly with reference to a Tirrill type regulator, it will be understood that the invention is equally applicable to other types of regulators. Accordingly, such modifications in the system, and arrangement and location of parts as may be made within the spirit and scope of my invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is- 1. In a regulator for maintaining voltage of desired potential, the combination comprising two relays adapted to derive their energy from a variable-voltage source, and means controlled by one of said relays for varying the strength of the other relay whereby the range of operation of said other relay is increased.

2. In a device for maintaining a voltage of desired potential, the combination comprising a relay adapted to derive its energy from a variable-voltage source, resistance in the relay circuit, and means responsive to changes in operating conditions for automatically varying the same for increasing the range ot' operation of said relay.

3. In a. device tor maintaining a voltage of desired potential. the combination comprising a relay adapted to derive its energy from a variable-voltage source, an electromagnetalso deriving its energy from said variable-voltage source, resistance in series with said relay and means controlled by said electromagnet for automatically varying said resistance whereby the range of operation of said relay is increased.

4. In a device for maintaining a voltage of desired potential, the combination comprising a relay adapted to derive its energy from a variable-voltage source, resistance in the relay circuit, a plurality of contact members controlling said resistance and an elec tromagnet also deriving its energy from said variable-voltage source for controlling the operation of said contact members to determine the range of operation of said relay.

5. In a regulator, the combination comprising two electroresponsive devices arranged to derive energy from a variablevoltage source, and means controlled by one of said devices for automatically varying the strength of the other device whereby it is given the desired range of operation.

6. In a device for maintaining a voltage of desired potential, the combination comprising a relay arranged to derive its energy from a variable-voltage source, resistance in the relay circuit, and means arranged to derive energy from the same source for automatically varying the effective amount of said resistance.

7. In a voltage controller, a relay adapted to derive its energy from a variable-voltage source, and means responsive to changes in operating conditions for automatically changing the resistance of the relay circuit whereby the desired range of operation thereof is obtained.

8. In a voltage controller, a relay adapted to operate on circuit from a variable-voltage source, and means responsive to changes in operating conditions for automatically introducing varying resistance into the relay circuit tor obtaining the desired range of operation of said relay.

9. In a voltage regulator, a pluralit of relays arranged to derive their energy t i'om a variable-voltage source, resistance in the circuit of said relays, an electromagnet ar ranged to derive its energy from the same variable-voltage source and to vary said re sistance for obtaining the desired range of operation of said relays.

10. In an electrical regulator wherein a relay energized from an exciter is controlled by a pair of contacts arranged to be operated by magnets receiving current proportional to a characteristic of a power circuit, the combination with said relay of external resistance in series therewith, and a second relay receiving current from the exciter for shunting said resistance thereby increasing the range of o ration of said first relay.

11. In an elfctrical regulator wherein a relay energized from an exciter is controlled by a pair of contacts arranged to be operated by magnets receiving current proportional to a characteristic of a power circuit, the combination with said relay of external resistance therefor, and means receiving current from the exciter for shunting said resistance in a step-by-step manner thereby increasingthe range of operation of the regulator.

12. In a. regulator for maintaining a substantially constant voltage upon a supply circuit, the combination comprising electroresponsive means energized from a variablevoltage source having a resistor in circuit therewith and co-operating electroresponsive means actuated in accordance with operating conditions for automatically regulating the effective value of said resistor to determine the range of operation of said relay.

13. The combination with a regulator, of means for extending the range of operation thereof comprising a resistor in circuit with said regulator and means for controlling the value of said resistor in accordance with variations in operating conditions of said regulator. y i

14. The combination with a regulator, of means for extending the range of operation thereof comprising a resistor in circuit with said regulator and electroresponsive means actuated in accordance with variations in operating conditions for controlling the ef-* fective value of said resistor.

15. In a regulator system for maintaining a substantially constant voltage upon a sup: ply circuit, the combination comprising electroresponsive means energized from a variablevoltage source having an impedance de-, vice in circuit therewith and other electroresponsive means, also energized from said source, for automatically varying the efi'ective value of said impedance device.

16. In a regulator, the combination comprising electroresponsive means energized from a variable voltage sourcehavinga current-consuming device in circuit therewith and other electroresponsive means actuated in accordance with operating conditions for automatically controlling said device to determine the range of operation of said regu lator. I r

17. In a regulator, the combination comprising electroresponsive means energized from a variable voltage source having a variable resistor in circuit therewith and automatic means responsive to operating conditions for controlling said resistor, to determine the range of operation of said regulator.

18. In a. regulator, 'the'combination comprising electroresponsivemeans energized from a variable voltage source having a .variable resistor in circuit therewith and electroresponsive means actuated in accordance with operating conditions for controlling said resistor to determine the range of operation oi said regulator.

19. In a regulator, the combination comprising contact members, electroresponsive means controlled thereby, and other automatic means co-operating therewith and responsive to changes in operating conditions for'varying the energization of said firstmentioned means to determine the range of operation of said regulator.

20. In a regulator, the combination comcordance with the exciter voltage for controlling said device.

22. In a regulator for governing the field excitation of a dynamo-electric machine having a current-consuming device in circuit therewith, and means adapted to control said device in accordance with said field excitation. I v

23. The combination with a regulator, of means/for extending the range'of operation thereof comprising a current-consuming device associated with said regulator, and means for controllingsaid device in accordance with variations in operating conditions.

24. The combination with a regulator, of means for'extending the range of operation thereof comprising a current-consuming device associated with said regulator, and electroresponsive means for controlling said device in accordance with variations'in op erating conditions.

25. In a regulator of the field excitation of a dynamo-electric machine, the combination with a device for controlling the variations of the said field excitation having a winding energized in accordance with the variations of said e'i'citation, of a second device also actuated in. accordance with the variations of the field excitation and controlling the degree of energization of said' winding.

26. In a regulator for maintaining a constant voltage upon a supply circuit, the combination comprising contact members, a lever system connected to said contact members, control magnets therefor, a plurality of relays controlled by said contact members, a resistor in circuit with said relays, and automatic means responsive to changes in operating conditions for controlling said resistor. I

27. In a regulator for maintaining a constant voltage upon a supply circuit, the combination comprising contact members, control magnets therefor,'a plurality of relavs controlled thereby, a resistor in circuit with said relays and automatic means 'responsive to changes in operating conditions for controlling said resistor.

28. In a regulator, the combination comprising switch mechanism, a control magnet therefor, a relay controlled by said mechanism, and automatic means responsive to changes in operating conditions for varying the operating range of said relay.

29. In a system for maintaining a constant voltage upon a supply circuit, the combination with a dynamo-electric machine connected to said circuit and an exciter therefor, of a regulator comprising a relay energized in accordance with the excite! voltage and means for extending the range of operation of said relay also actuated in accordance with the exciter voltage.

30. In a regulator, the combination comprising contact members, a lever system con nected to said contact members, control magnets therefor, relays governed by said contact members having a resistor in circuit therewith, and an electromagnet responsive to operating conditions for controlling a shunt circuit for said resistor.

31. In a regulator for governing the field excitation of a dynamo-electric machine, the combination comprising a relay governed in accordance with said field excitation having an impedance device associated therewith and an electromagnet adapted to'control a shunt circuit for said device, to determine the range of operation of said regulator.

32. In a regulator for maintaining a constant voltage upon a supply circuit, the com bination comprising contact members, control means therefor, a plurality of electroresponsive devices controlled by said members having a current-consuming device associated therewith, and automatic means responsive to changes in operating conditions for controlling said device.

33. In a regulator, the combination comprising switch mechanism, a control magnet therefor, electroresponsive means controlled thereby having an impendance device associated therewith, and automatic means responsive to changes in operating conditions for determining the effective value of said device.

34. In a regulator, the combination comprising switch mechanism, and associated automatic means responsive to changes in operating conditions for determining the operating range of said regulator.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 14th day of December, 1918.

ALLEN A. TIRRILL.

Witnesses:

L. B. Lrro'r, Lena M. TIRRILL. 

